Trial came to a close against Larayna Manning Thursday afternoon, after a jury found her guilty of complicity to murder in the 2020 murder of Calvin “Cue” Taylor on North Kentucky Avenue.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours after closing statements were held in the afternoon—both the Commonwealth and the defense had rested their cases earlier that morning. Following closing statements and deliberations, a jury found Larayna Manning guilty of complicity to wanton murder and guilty of complicity to first-degree robbery.
The jury did move into the penalty phase of trial proceedings following the verdict, which is where they determine how long of a sentence Manning will receive for those guilty verdicts. They heard from witness on behalf of both the victim, Taylor, and Manning.
Defense attorney Jason Pfiel asked the jury to give Manning 20 years, the minimum, on the complicity to murder charge, saying whatever it was Manning intended to happen that night, the death of Taylor wasn’t it.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling disagreed and urged the jury to give her life in prison, saying if she would do this to someone, she considered a best friend, then she’s a danger to the community at large.
Following a lengthy discussion, the jury ultimately handed down a recommended sentence of life in prison for the complicity to murder charge, and then for 20 years for complicity to robbery to be served concurrently. She will become eligible for parole after serving at least 20 years of that sentence.
Final sentencing was set for March 22.